A six -year -old autistic boy has been delayed for up to 10 years to export his teeth despite being so much pain that he can hardly eat or sleep.
Three teeth must have been extracted, but his parents were unable to find a dentist to carry out the project despite desperate efforts.
“It’s horrible,” said Eamon Murphy’s father.
“The public dentist said he could be up to 10 years waiting.” You could be on the list for 10 years, “he told us.”
“We’re trying to help him, you would do anything for him,” the frustrated father said.
Avril’s mother, a special needs assistant, usually supports Tiernan at school, but is now at home with him.
Eamon is an engineer, but he was not able to work properly since Tiernan began to experience pain.
“I couldn’t leave Avril on his own,” he explained.
“I would go and then get a phone call from it and you could hear him scream with phone pain.
“He shouts and throws himself on the ground. Hitting himself. He’s horrible for him.”
The couple approached private dentists who either could not help or predict a wait of at least six months.
The HSE dentist informed them to continue returning for antibiotics and pain relief.
“They are not oriented for children with autism,” Eamon said.
“At the appointment, the poor child put his hands on stopping to look in. They could not cope. They are not oriented for it.”
The couple says they are frustrated to see government TDs preparing to visit America for St. Patrick’s Day, when autistic children are in crisis.
“Everyone starts for Paddy’s Day. It’s some country. I just can’t understand or get my head around why no one can help Tiernan,” Eamon said.
Eamon gave these problems with Damien Tiernan as well .
David Cullinane, a spokesman for Sinn Fein Health and Waterford TD have contacted HSE Bernard Gloster on behalf of the family.
“This is a horrible situation for the child and his family,” he said on Tuesday.
“It’s not uncommon, I have met this before. So there is obviously a long waiting list for orthodontic treatment anyway, but for children with autism it is deeper because they need a general anesthetic.
“Sometimes it is done in hospitals so that they need a surgery to do so.”
He warned: “There are some serious autistic children where it is a nightmare for parents and for the dentist to perform what would usually be a routine treatment.”
He called on Mr Gloster to urgently find a solution, emphasizing the seriousness of the issue for Tiernan.
A spokesman for the HSE Dublin and South-East Health area said: “HSE apologizes to those affected by long waiting times for treatment while trying to provide the best service within available resources.”
They cannot discuss individual cases, but said they are aware of the situation Tiernan is facing and is in contact with the family now.
The waiting time for evaluation with the Regional Orthodontic Service for the Southeast East is “today under six months”, he said.
Patients have a priority based on the need.
“Current waiting time for orthodontic treatment after evaluation for those sorted as a routine is about 84 months,” he said.
This is equal to seven years.
Patients who need a general anesthetic can be reported at the University of Cork University Hospital.
“The waiting list in this respect is about one year to 18 months, depending on the required dental treatment,” he added.
A monthly clinic is also held in Kilkenny.
The Irish Association of Dental Hygiene provides a brochure for the parents of children with autism.
They advise while autism does not cause tooth decay, these children can face additional challenges for dental health.
Some medicines can cause dry mouth, which can lead to tooth wear.
